“You’re wondering if your friend is Horde,” Martyn said. “The answer is yes and no. Yes, he wants to be. No, he’s not completely transformed yet. When he has fulfilled his promise, he will hold a place of honor among our warriors. It turns out that Guard members who defect make excellent leaders in the campaign.”

“What do you want from me?” Johnis asked. He forced the anger back and cleared his mind.

The Horde general smiled. “Thomas.”

Johnis felt his heart fall into the pit of his belly. He was going to be asked to betray Thomas.

“You and Jackov will return to the Middle Forest and meet Thomas. If he doesn’t do exactly what you ask, your mother will have her limbs amputated. If anyone besides Thomas learns of your visit, the same. If we fail to take Thomas as planned, she will never walk again.”

“What you’re asking is impossible. If you know Thomas, you know that.”

“Actually, I do know Thomas. Which is why I know he will come. Tell him that a mighty Horde general known as Justin demands to meet with him in the Valley of Bones, alone, in complete secrecy. None of the Council may know. Those are the conditions.”

Justin? This was Justin, who’d defected from the Guard? Or was it a ploy?

“He won’t come,” Johnis said.

“He will. He’ll come because he believes you are chosen to lead. There will be no other explanation for how you managed to bring this message from deep in the desert without being killed yourself. He’ll come.”

“Justin is the Guard officer who defected?”

The general hesitated. “Yes. And his message is one Thomas must hear if the world is ever to be at peace.”

Johnis looked at Jackov again, disgusted with the fighter’s cowardice. “I should have killed you in the clearing when you insulted my mother.”

“You should have killed me at the Horde game, squat,” Jackov said. “Before I planted your mother’s ring where I knew it would be found.”

“Jackov will make the journey with you, bathing once again before he enters the forests. You may not leave his side.”

“How will you know . . .”

“We have our ways.”

Spies? There was no way out, Johnis realized. He had no choice but to choose between Thomas and the two women below who meant life to him.

“What is your decision?” Martyn asked.

“Give me time! How do I know you’ll release them?”

“You don’t. But I will. Both of them. I have no interest in a misguided boy and his mother unless they can help me bring down the forests. Give me Thomas, and I’ll give you your mother. It’s the best I can do. Decide now.”

“For Elyon’s sake, give me a moment.”

The Dark Priest walked up to him and slapped his mouth. “Watch your language, heathen. You’re in the temple.”